Tag Archives: River Rain

Embracing the Change ( River Rain 6) by Kristen Ashley-review

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Embracing the Change (River Rain 6) by Kristen Ashley-review & excerpt

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Add Embracing the Change to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3VkUOsl

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date

That Kiss…

Gorgeous New York socialite, Nora Ellington has been waiting a very long time for her happily ever after.

So long, she’s given up on it and has decided, even though she’s the plus-one friend without benefits to a man she’s head over heels in love with, an HEA will forever be out of her reach.

Handsome billionaire Jamie Oakley thought he’d had two happily ever afters in his life. However, neither lasted long, and both ended in tragedy. He’s not about to try it again or put his children through the trauma Jamie has learned from experience undoubtedly will come their way.

And he’s made this decision even if the woman who’s become his constant companion is a woman he loves straight to his soul….and wants with everything that is him.

But then, one night, Jamie loses control and kisses Nora.

He can’t go there.

She can’t go on without it.

They’ll never be the same.

Or will they?

•••••••••

REVIEW:  EMBRACING THE CHANGE is the sixth instalment in Kristen Ashley’s contemporary, adult RIVER RAIN romance series. This is socialite and heiress Nora Ellington, and billionaire Jamie Oakley’s story line. EMBRACING THE CHANGE should not be read as a stand alone as many of the references, and previous story line couples figure prominently throughout the current time line. Jamie is the father of Judge Oakley (Chasing Serenity), and Nora is best friends with Mika (Making the Match)

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be mild triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person perspective (Nora), and omniscient third person (Jamie) EMBRACING THE CHANGE follows several years in the life of our story line couple. Jamie Oakley has loved and lost twice, both relationships ending tragically but he gained a daughter and a son. Nora Ellington, heiress and socialite’s only marriage was fraught with deceit and betrayal but her three, now adult children, are the light of her life. Throughout the years, Nora has rescued and aided Jamie as his world began to spiral but now it was their turn together to form a union between their two families, and everything it entailed.

The world building follows several pathways including all of Nora and Jamie’s adult children scheming to get their parents together. From an yacht excursion to a new grandchild, to blackmail, family secrets and the past refusing to let go, Jamie and Nora must weather the storm together, in an effort to finally find peace and their own happily ever after.

The relationship between Nora and Jamie had been building for several years but both had been married (Jamie twice), and although not necessarily happy, but happy for now. Nora is the quintessential socialite, almost an over the top caricature of wealth and money (calling everyone ‘darling’), designer labels and the ultimate friendship with a support group of four gay men known as the G-force.Jamie is a businessman whose own family tree deviates between the branches, and in this, our hero must contend with the reality of what was, and what may never be. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of energetic and charismatic secondary and supporting characters including Jamie’s son Judge (Chloe) and daughter Dru; Nora’s children Allegra and Darryn, Nico and Felice, Valentine and Archie; Nora’s ex Roland Castellini, as well as several cameos and mentions of previous story line couples and characters.

EMBRACING THE CHANGE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, greed and jealousy, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is dramatic and thought-provoking; the romance is seductive and fated; the character are dynamic, sassy and determined.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
After the Climb
Chasing Serenity
Taking the Leap
Making the Match
Fighting the Pull

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

His fork clattered on his plate, the sudden sound surprising me so much, I gave a slight jump as Jamie turned fully to me.
“Right, we’re here.”
Oh dear.
I wasn’t sure what “here” meant.
But I was sure I didn’t want to be there.
He carried on. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, and I’ll give you more time, but I do want to talk about it. However, for now I’ll just say, I can have you as I’ll allow myself to have you.”
As he’ll allow himself to have me?
What on earth did that mean?
“And in so doing, I have you,” Jamie continued. “You mean something to me. You’re mine. You’re a part of my life. You’re a member of my family. And I think you know I take care of those I love, Nora. That being the man I am, I cannot countenance this jackass annoying you or taking your time or infiltrating your life in any way that does not involve the children you share. Am I being clear?”
You’re mine.
I take care of those I love.
You’re…
Mine.
Those…
I…
Love.
“Nora,” he called. “Am I being clear?”

Follow: Goodreads / Facebook / Website / Twitter

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

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Fighting the Pull (River Rain 5) by Kristen Ashley-review tour

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Fighting the Pull (River Rain 5) by Kristen Ashley-review & excerpt tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 12, 2023

Hale Wheeler inherited billions from his father. He’s decided to take those resources and change the world for the better. He’s married to his mission, so he doesn’t have time for love.

There’s more lurking behind this decision. He hasn’t faced the tragic loss of his father, or the bitterness of his parents’ divorce. He doesn’t intend to follow in his father’s footsteps, breaking a woman’s heart in a way it will never mend. So he vows he’ll never marry.

But Hale is intrigued when he meets Elsa Cohen, the ambitious celebrity news journalist who has been reporting on his famous family. He warns her off, but she makes him a deal. She’ll pull back in exchange for an exclusive interview.

Elsa Cohen is married to her career, but she wants love, marriage, children. She also wants the impossibly handsome, fiercely loyal, tenderhearted Hale Wheeler.

They go head-to-head, both denying why there are fireworks every time they meet. But once they understand their undeniable attraction, Elsa can’t help but fall for the dynamic do-gooder.

As for Hale, he knows he needs to fight the pull of the beautiful, bold, loving Elsa Cohen, because breaking her would crush him.

•••••

REVIEW:FIGHTING THE PULL is the fifth instalment in Kristen Ashley’s contemporary, adult RIVER RAIN erotic, romance series. This is thirty-year old, billionaire businessman Hale Wheeler, and twenty-seven year old, celebrity journalist Elsa Cohen’s story line. FIGHTING THE PULL can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading book one AFTER THE CLIMB for backstory as it pertains to Hale’s father Corey Szabo.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise including talk of suicide, child abuse, and bondage and discipline, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person perspective (Elsa) and third person perspectives (Hale, Heath) FIGHTING THE PULL follows the building romance and relationship between Hale and Elsa. Elsa’s interview with billionaire Hale Wheeler was about to go off the proverbial rails as Hale was struggling with revealing anything about himself but a few minutes with Elsa found Hale reconsidering the who and what of our story line heroine. A pretend relationship, a potential stalker, and the heart falling for someone who couldn’t love themself found our couple battling the heart break of betrayal, and the dramatic loss of a father that had yet to be acknowledged. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Hale and Elsa, and the potential fall-out as Elsa is caught in the direct line of fire, and Hale is unable to forgive himself for the damage that is caused.

The world building focuses on three severely dysfunctional families with insights into child abuse, neglect, infidelity, divorce, and the resulting suicide of a man who struggled to come to terms with what happened and why. Kristen Ashley pulls the reader into a heart breaking and emotional look into deteriorating family values precipitated by greed, jealousy, betrayal and vengeance. Innocent children will pay for the sins of the parents but sometimes the child pays more than anyone could have imagined.

The relationship between Elsa and Hale begins acrimoniously as Hale is reluctant to be interviewed by Elsa Cohen but Elsa and Hale are kindred spirits, each suffering with the endless emotional abuse and betrayal by the people sworn to love them the most. As Hale and Elsa come to terms with their own relationship, the past is determined to destroy our couple, taking aim at the woman with whom Hale is falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative with some light scenes and discussion of bondage and discipline.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and often destructive secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story line couples. We are introduced to Elsa’s embattled family, and Hale’s bitter and remorseless mother, as well as Elsa’s co-workers and Hale’s security team.

FIGHTING THE PULL is a story of betrayal and vengeance, loss and acceptance, greed and jealousy, acceptance and love. The haunting premise is heart breaking, emotional, raw and honest; the characters are tragic, animated and starting to heal; the romance is seductive and spicy.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
After the Climb
Chasing Serenity
Taking the Leap
Making the Match

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

The thing on my mind that I wasn’t admitting was taking more headspace than it should was the fact that Hale had texted the day before.
Again.
Why he wasn’t letting himself off the hook about this interview he never wanted in the first place, I did not know. And it wasn’t going to be me who let him off the hook. Oh no. Not officially.
But I wasn’t returning his texts, so unofficially, the guy should take a hint.
We’d made a deal almost a year before. The deal was, I’d kinda, sorta lay off his family, he’d give me an interview.
I couldn’t totally lay off his family. They were the most celebrated celebrities in the world. Even the ones who hadn’t sought that out, like Chloe Pierce and Judge Oakley.
But there were a great many different kinds of celebrity news, and it didn’t seem like Hale Wheeler had cottoned on to the fact I wasn’t a mudslinger.
Sure, I also wasn’t an objective journalist. But I wasn’t TMZ either.
Nugget of news: you could share gossip for a living and still be classy. I was proof of that (or I thought I was).
I had my key ready to put into the four locks on the door to the building where my studio was in Brooklyn, and with practiced ease, I was out of the New York autumn morning cold in no time.
I locked the door behind me and headed to the space in the sectioned off warehouse that I rented for my studio.
I had to unlock that door too (only three locks this time), and once inside, I practically ran into Chuck, my cameraman, who was for some reason right there and crowding me.
My space was small, but this was weird.
I looked at his face, and…great.
We’d probably been burgled.
It wasn’t like I had a ton of expensive equipment, but what I had was hard won. I had offers coming in, and they were healthier than I’d allowed myself to dream, but I hadn’t signed on any dotted line. So, for the foreseeable future, ongoing operating costs, and any expansion, was on me.
I didn’t have time to deal with police reports and insurance companies telling me how little they could actually replace seeing as some small line in their contract exempted them from doing what I paid them to do. Nor did I need to be shelling out to replace stuff.
“What’s up?” I warily asked Chuck.
“Hale Wheeler is here,” he whispered.
Oh no.
That was worse than being burgled.
My gaze flew beyond Chuck to my set which was a one-step dais on which sat a mint green velvet swivel chair with a glass-topped gold side table beside it. These were in front of a greenscreen backdrop we could make anything we wanted it to be. Though usually it was subtle pastel green and peach swirls against a soft white with the words “Elsa’s Exchange” repeated throughout.
And damn it all to hell, there he was.
Tall, ridiculously handsome, athletically built Hale Wheeler, the richest man in the world.

Follow: Goodreads / Facebook / Website / Twitter

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

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Making the Match (River Rain 4) by Kristen Ashley-review tour

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Making the Match (River Rain 4) by Kristen Ashley-review & excerpt tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 20, 2022

Decades ago, tennis superstar Tom Pierce and “It Girl” Mika Stowe met at a party.

Mika fell in love. Tom was already in love with his wife. As badly as Tom wanted Mika as a friend, Mika knew it would hurt too much to be attracted to this amazing man and never be able to have him.

They parted ways for what they thought would be forever, only to reconnect just once, when unspeakable tragedy darkens Mika’s life.

Years later, the impossible happens.

A time comes when they’re both unattached.

But now Tom has made a terrible mistake. A mistake so damaging to the ones he loves, he feels he’ll never be redeemed.

Mika has never forgotten how far and how fast she fell when she met him, but Tom’s transgression is holding her distant from reaching out.

There are matchmakers in their midst, however.

And when the plot has been unleashed to make that match, Tom and Mika are thrown into an international intrigue that pits them against a Goliath of the sports industry.

Now they face a massive battle at the same time they’re navigating friendship, attraction, love, family, grief, redemption, two very different lives lived on two opposite sides of a continent and a box full of kittens

•••••

REVIEW MAKING THE MATCH is the fourth instalment in Kristen Ashley’s contemporary, adult RIVER RAIN romance series. This is forty eight year old, multi-media artist Mika Stowe, and former professional tennis player turned doctor Tom Pierce’s story line. MAKING THE MATCH can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person (Mika) and several third persons perspectives including Tom, using present day and memories from the past, following several intersecting paths, MAKING THE MATCH follows the second chance relationship , of a sorts, between forty eight year old, multi-media artist Mika Stowe, and former professional tennis player turned doctor Tom Pierce. Years earlier Mika Stowe fell in love with a married man but Tom Pierce wasn’t about to stray from the woman he loved. Life and everything it had to offer including birth of children and the death of a lover, betrayal and divorce, secrets and lies would ultimately forge a history ; dual paths that would collide when a mysterious package is delivered to our story line heroine, a package that reveals the destructive nature of power and control but Mika struggles with what she believes to be a betrayal by the man she once loved, a betrayal directed at someone else. As Mika and Tom begin to rebuild their friendship, a blending of families reveals heart break and the pain of disappointment, and miscommunication when the past comes looking for forgiveness and acceptance. What ensues is the rebuilding friendship and relationship between Mika and Tom, and the potential fall-out as Tom battles with the guilt of betrayal, a battle he has imposed, all on his own.

Meanwhile, the world of professional tennis is about to face the fall-out of the ‘me too’ movement, when several women come forward accusing past players, coaches and sponsors of sexual harassment and blackmail.

The relationship between Mika and Tom is a friends to lovers that struggled in the face of timing, other relationships, perception and loss. Tom’s divorce from the woman he once loved revealed a different side to family and relationships, wherein blame is often the proverbial two-way street but gossip and the media don’t tell the whole story, a story misinterpreted by our story line heroine. Mika has suffered in the face of tragedy and loss but, once again, life goes on, pushing forward, until there is often no longer a place to push forward to. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and broken secondary and supporting characters including Tom’s children, each of whom is struggling within the family dynamic: Chloe Pierce and Judge Oakley (Chasing Serenity 2) , Matt, Sasha; Tom’s former wife Gen and her husband Duncan (After the Climb 1) ; Mika’s eighteen year old daughter Cadence; friends, family, business partners and exes.

MAKING THE MATCH is a detailed, complex and dramatic tale of betrayal, second chances, acceptance and love. The premise is impassioned and captivating; the romance is seductive and fated; the characters are determined, edgy and moving forward.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
After the Climb
Chasing Serenity
Taking the Leap

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

 

She looked beyond him and called, “Hey, Mom.”
Suddenly, Tom felt like he’d been punched in the chest, his breath not coming easy.
Dragging some in, he turned and saw Mika standing there.
She was wearing a kaftan dress with a low V at the neck, draping sleeves and a string through an empire waist that gathered the material. The print on a black background was mostly reds, oranges and pinks with bright accents of green and blue and turquoise. She had some flat, embroidered mules on her feet. And her still-golden hair was up in a messy knot on top of her head.
Even though she was dressed like she was hanging around the house, she wore makeup. Mostly neutral but with black cat’s-eye, drawing focus to her eyes and the startling sea-blue color of the iris. She had some delicate chain bracelets at her wrists and a number of piercings in her ears, with studs or small hoops running up the shell, and dangling beads coming from the lobe.
She looked the picture of what a poet, photographer, novelist, filmmaker would look like. An easy style that was not unique, but she made it that way.
She was also still one of the most attractive women he’d ever laid eyes on.
In fact, he’d go so far as saying she was in the top two, vying for number one.
“Tom,” she greeted.
“Mika,” he replied, and then was surprised yet again in his short visit to her home.He saw a soft pink rise in her cheeks, the kind a woman got when she felt nervous or didn’t know what to do with flattery, something he hadn’t offered, unless she caught it in his gaze.
She looked to her daughter and ordered, “Scram, kid.”

 

 

Follow: Goodreads / Facebook / Website / Twitter

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

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Taking The Leap (River Rain 3) by Kristen Ashley-Review Tour

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Taking The Leap (River Rain 3) by Kristen Ashley-Review & Excerpt Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play /Apple /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 15, 2022

Alexandra Sharp has been crushing on her co-worker, John “Rix” Hendrix for years. He’s her perfect man, she knows it.

She’s just not his perfect woman, and she knows that too.

Then Rix gives Alex a hint that maybe there’s a spark between them that, if she takes the leap, she might be able to fan into a flame. This leads to a crash and burn, and that’s all shy Alex needs to catch the hint never to take the risk again.

However, with undeniable timing, Rix’s ex, who broke his heart, and Alex’s family, who spent her lifetime breaking hers, rear their heads, gearing up to offer more drama. With the help of some matchmaking friends, Rix and Alex decide to face the onslaught together…

As a fake couple.

••••••••

REVIEW:TAKING THE LEAP is the third instalment in Kristen Ashley’s contemporary, adult RIVER RAIN erotic, romance series. This is thirty four-year old former smoke jumper/firefighter John ‘Rix’ Hendrix, and twenty-eight year old, Alexandra ‘Alex’ Sharp’s story line. TAKING THE LEAP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Rix and Alex’s story line begins in book two Chasing Serenity.

SOME BACKGROUND: River Rain, owned by businessman Duncan Holloway, is a large chain of stores concentrating on outdoor life including camping, hiking, rock climbing and trail walking, that has ventured into philanthropy and camps for children and youth.

Told from first person perspective (Alex) and dual third person (Rix and Judge) TAKING THE LEAP focuses on the building but fake romance and relationship between thirty four-year old former smoke jumper/firefighter John ‘Rix’ Hendrix, and twenty-eight year old, Alexandra ‘Alex’ Sharp, and the upcoming wedding of Alex’s sister Blake. Alexandra Sharp is descended from royalty but refuses to play the games her mother sets into motion. Estranged from her family- her distant father, controlling mother, and the questionable sanity of her older sister, Alex has always preferred to remain in the background but her sister’s wedding is about to place the spotlight on our story line heroine when she brings co-worker and amputee John ‘Rix’ Hendrix as her plus one. Alex has crushed on Rix for as long as she can remember but Rix has a dark history, a past mired in betrayal and loss, and a reputation with the women as a one-night stand kind of guy. Working together for River Rain Outdoor Stores and their Kids and Trails programs forces our couple to dwell on their mutual attraction but Alexandra remains unconvinced in the face of history, and the ‘fake’ aspect of their relationship that will quickly turn into something more.

Alexandra Sharp is a beautiful, intelligent, shy and somewhat withdrawn woman who has spent most of her life on the sidelines watching as the world, and her family continue to implode. Alex is not naïve; she is not a fool nor a door mat but a woman who is willing to speak up when needed, and defend herself against those who are hoping to tear her down including several members of her immediate family but Rix Hendrix is all about protecting the woman with whom he will fall in love, a woman who does not need protecting when all is said and done. Rix is offering a friends with benefits relationship with our story line heroine, a relationship that co-workers and close friends see as a prelude to disaster.

The relationship between Rix and Alex is one of mutual attraction but Alex’s overt shyness is a detriment to her personal and social life. Rix often mistakes Alex’s awkwardness as not interested, but her ambivalence and uncertainty is but a side effect of her family history of distance and control. Alex is determined to prove she is worthy of love but Rix’s past is hoping for a second chance, a chance that brings with it too many memories of betrayal and negligence. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word in my romance story lines.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and sassy secondary and supporting characters including Chloe and Judge (Chasing Serenity), Judge’s father Jamie, and sister Dru. We are introduced to Alex’s family-her sister Blake, Blake’s fiance Chad, and their parents Helena and Edward, and her friends Katie and Gal, as well as Rix’s ex Peri, and his brother Josh, Hailey and Kinsley. Adding commentary is gossip columnist Elsa Cohen.

TAKING THE LEAP is a story of love and acceptance, betrayal and loss. Kristen Ashley pulls the reader into an emotional tale of dysfunctional dynamics wherein one family is unable to accept the world as it is, preferring live in a world of their own making. The premise is edgy, dramatic and tragic; the romance is provocative and intimate; the characters are heart breaking yet inspiring.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
After the Climb
Chasing Serenity

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

What kind of coffee drink do you like?
I could have lied, and when I saw him at the office, said I was driving when I got the text and that was why I didn’t answer.
But there was a part of me that was so excited to get my very first text from Rix, and that part was strong.
So strong, that thought didn’t even occur to me before I texted back with oodles of curiosity, Why?
Because I’m buying you a coffee, babe.
Another babe.
That was three.
Highly inappropriate, even infantilizing.
I said not one word about the “babe.”
Instead, I texted, Iced Chai.
Once I sent that, I texted, Mocha latte, iced or hot.
And on its heels, I sent, For just hot, flat white.
Then I got nervous that I might be sounding like a goof.
So nervous my thumbs couldn’t seem to stop tapping letters, and I therefore texted, I assume you want to know what I want right now, rather than all that I like. So just to say, I tend to be a coffee explorer, since I like coffee. And caffeine on the whole. That means the list is kinda long. But if you’re asking for right now, which you are, because it’s chilly this morning, flat white.
After I sent that, I realized that I was absolutely sounding like a dork in sending it, all of it, including the three before. As such, I watched in agony as Rix’s three dots cycled and cycled and then they did it some more.
Until I got, How much coffee have you already had?
This would have been funny if it wasn’t so mortifying.
Just one, I responded miserably.
Try to cycle down cuz you’ll have another when you get to work. Later.
I decided I’d texted enough, so I let that lie.
It didn’t lie for long.
Rix showed at my desk at River Rain (which wasn’t going to be my desk at River Rain for very long, it’d be my desk at Trail Blazer since we were moving the next day, Judge’s office furniture, mine, and some unused stuff they had sitting around was all going to the new offices for temporary use because the telephones and Internet were being hooked up that day and it was time to occupy Trail Blazer).
Rix set my flat white down while I valiantly attempted not to blush, he made no attempt whatsoever to hide he totally did not miss I failed at this endeavor, smiled a smile that I wanted to think was friendly, but instead it seemed sexy, this thought being exacerbated when he muttered under his breath so I almost couldn’t hear it, “Only you could make a rambling coffee order adorable.”
I sat frozen.
Rix winked at me and said in his normal voice, “Bottoms up, Alex.”
With that, seeing as he was in his chair that day, he wheeled away.
Since there was a lot going on with packing for the move and tech hookups and such, I only had to deal with Rix in passing for the rest of Monday.
However, Tuesday morning, I was shoving stuff into my bag at home, preparing to head down the mountain to dig into the move, when my phone chimed.
OK, I have ten minutes, explain today’s coffee order.
Yes.
Another text from Rix.
A startled laugh escaped from me because he was being funny.
I then texted back, You don’t have to buy me coffee.
To which he texted, I know I don’t.
Then I sent, I’m just saying, we’re good. We had a blip last week. But now we’re great.
We’re great?
Damn.
Why did reading those two words texted by him make my breasts swell?
Good. Great. I mean, things are fine. You don’t have to butter me up with coffee.
So coffee is a way to butter you up?
Oh God.
What was that?
Was it flirty?
Or was it just being funny and friendly?
Or was it just a kind of getting-to-know-you, valued co-worker, but in a jokey fashion?
Tell him what you want and stop texting, Alex! I admonished myself.
I did not stop texting.
Well, yeah. Kinda. Like I said, I like coffee.
You did say that, so maybe you’ll tell me what kind you want this morning.
Time to get beyond this.
Iced Chai.
That’s tea.
Oh my God!
Flirty?
Or jokey?
I’m feeling tea today, I replied.
Right. And then he sent, That only took five minutes. I’d fill the other five by asking you what kind of donuts you like, but we got a lot to get accomplished today. I’m sure I’ll enjoy your dissertation on that, but I’d prefer to sort out my office so I can start doing the shit I’m getting paid to do.
He one hundred percent did not need my views on donuts then.
Therefore, I noted, Good call.
He sent a smirk emoji, which shared the impossible.
Rix could even make emojis sexy.

Follow: Goodreads / Facebook / Website / Twitter

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

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Chasing Serenity/After The Climb by Kristen Ashley-review tour

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After the Climb / Chasing Serenity (River Rain 1 & 2) by Kristen Ashley-review & excerpt tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play /Apple /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 7, 2021.

From a very young age, Chloe Pierce was trained to look after the ones she loved.

And she was trained by the best.

But when the man who looked after her was no longer there, Chloe is cast adrift—just as the very foundation of her life crumbled to pieces.

Then she runs into tall, lanky, unpretentious Judge Oakley, her exact opposite. She shops. He hikes. She drinks pink ladies. He drinks beer. She’s a city girl. He’s a mountain guy.

Obviously, this means they have a blowout fight upon meeting. Their second encounter doesn’t go a lot better.

Judge is loving the challenge. Chloe is everything he doesn’t want in a woman, but he can’t stop finding ways to spend time with her. He knows she’s dealing with loss and change.

He just doesn’t know how deep that goes. Or how ingrained it is for Chloe to care for those who have a place in her heart, how hard it will be to trust anyone to look after her…

And how much harder it is when it’s his turn.

•••••••••

REVIEW:CHASING SERENITY is the second instalment in Kristen Ashley’s contemporary, adult RIVER RAIN erotic, romance series. This is twenty-five year old, independent businesswoman Chloe Pierce, and twenty-nine year old businessman / environmentalist Judge Oakley’s story line. CHASING SERENITY can be read as a stand alone but for back story I recommend reading book one AFTER THE CLIMB. Some of the events of CHASING SERENITY cross over with, and run parallel to some of the events of book one AFTER THE CLIMB. Chloe and Judge’s story begins in After the Climb.

Told from first person perspective (Chloe) and dual third person perspectives (Corey and Judge) using present day and memories from the past, CHASING SERENITY follows the building but tempestuous relationship between twenty-five year old, independent businesswoman Chloe Pierce, and twenty-nine year old businessman Judge Oakley but also focuses on dysfunctional family dynamics of both the Pierce and Oakley families. Chloe Pierce’s family life has spiralled out of control since the suicide of a close family friend, and divorce of her famous parents. Forced to work with River Rain’s Judge Oakley on a small independent film focusing on the life of her parents, actress Imogen Swan and tennis champion Tom Pierce, meant Chloe having to work with a man that stirred the ire and anger of our story line heroine but from where she wasn’t completely sure. With each meeting and attempt their connection grew stronger so much so that they would come to learn their lives have been entangled for a very long time.

Chloe Pierce is a fiercely independent and strong-willed young woman whose life is about to implode when the burden of the fallout of her parents’ divorce, and her mother’s impending marriage to her childhood sweetheart, apparently falls solely on the shoulders of our story line heroine. It is only a matter of time before Chloe breaks, and when she does, Judge Oakley will be there to catch her fall but all is not well in Judge Oakley’s life, as his past is about to destroy what’s left of his self-control.

CHASING SERENITY is a story of loss, love, family and friendships; multi-levelled secrets and lies, addiction and abuse; acceptance and understanding. Kristen Ashley slowly reveals the family histories of both Chloe and Judge, such that, we begin to see a pattern that has affected everyone going forward. Essentially, a study in sociological behavior and the psychological fall-out of death, divorce, addiction and suicide, CHASING SERENITY is awash in conflict and anxiety, misdirected pain and grief, sibling rivalry, numerous external struggles and challenges, acceptance and love.

CHASING SERENITY is a complex, heart breaking, intense, and impassioned story wherein the large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters are necessary to the overall building of the introductory story line. We are re-introduced to Chloe’s large immediate and extended families by blood, birth, divorce and remarriage, as well as Judge’s best friend Rix, and Judge’s emotional, disturbing and embittered relationship with his mother, his father, and his paternal grandfather.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

_________

 

AFTER THE CLIMB
(River Rain #1)
by Kristen Ashley

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Re-release date July 8, 2021

Original Release Date: April 4, 2020

They were the Three Amigos: Duncan Holloway, Imogen Swan and Corey Szabo. Two young boys with difficult lives at home banding together with a cool girl who didn’t mind mucking through the mud on their hikes.
They grew up to be Duncan Holloway, activist, CEO and face of the popular River Rain outdoor stores, Imogen Swan, award-winning actress and America’s sweetheart, and Corey Szabo, ruthless tech billionaire.
Rich and very famous, they would learn the devastating knowledge of how the selfish acts of one would affect all their lives.

And the lives of those they loved.

Start the River Rain series with After the Climb, the story of Duncan and Imogen navigating their way back to each other, decades after a fierce betrayal.
And introduce yourself to their families, who will have their stories told when River Rain continues.

••••••••

REVIEW: AFTER THE CLIMB is the first instalment in Kristen Ashley’s contemporary, adult RIVER RAIN romance series. This is fifty–two year old, award winning actress Imogen ‘Gen’ Swan, and fifty-four year old, business and philanthropist Duncan Holloway’s story line.

SOME BACKGROUND: River Rain, owned by businessman Duncan Holloway, is a large chain of stores concentrating on outdoor life including camping, hiking, rock climbing and trail walking.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person perspective (Gen), and dual third person (Duncan and Sullivan) AFTER THE CLIMB introduces the characters and the backstory to Kristen Ashley’s RIVER RAIN series. Approximately thirty years earlier, Imogen Swan’s life spiralled out of control when betrayal by a friend ended her relationship with her best friend and lover Duncan Holloway. Fast forward to present day, wherein, Imogen Swan, now a single mother, divorcee and award winning actress, is forced to confront her past, in the guise of Duncan Holloway, the man who destroyed and broke her heart. The suicide of their former best friend, has revealed years of secrets and lies, secrets that are about to be exposed. About to reconcile with the man she has never stopped loving, past betrayal continues to be at the heart of their lives, when social media, paparazzi, and spurned lovers and exes, believe it is their duty to expose the truth. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Gen and Duncan, as they must now navigate a social media blow up, the blending and merging of two adult families, and the potential fall-out when the truth is revealed.

AFTER THE CLIMB is a story of betrayal and vengeance, obsession and love, family, friendships, relationships and love. We are introduced to Gen’s ex-husband Tom Pierce, who remains friendly with the woman he continues to love; their children Chloe, Matt and Sasha, as well as Duncan’s sons Sullivan and Gage. Chloe’s story line is next in CHASING SERENITY.

AFTER THE CLIMB is an emotional story of reconciliation and second chances. The premise is honest, twisted and haunting; the romance is seductive; the characters are numerous, energetic, and colorful-the back and forth is frenetic and fast.

Own a copy

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Considering the fact he’d brought in a coffee for his buddy, Rix, who managed the store, Judge was down on the floor where Rix’s office was, not on the top floor where his was, so he saw her when she walked into the shoe section.
He’d dated Meg.
And before Meg, there was Jess.
And before Jess, there was Kimberly.
They all had different color hair, Meg and Jess were tall, Kim was not.
But even so, Judge had a type.
He knew it.
And that woman who’d strolled up to the shoe displays?
She was his type.
Multiplied by a thousand.
Christ, she was beautiful.
And bad news.
He could tell that last by the outfit, including her ridiculous, high-heeled booties.
He’d worked at River Rain Outdoor stores for nine years—starting as a sales associate when he was still going to college and advancing to director of the Kids and Trails program.
In all that time, he didn’t think he’d ever seen a woman walk into any of their stores wearing shoes like hers.
And when he came down again a half an hour later to hit Rix’s office to make some copies because the copier in the corporate offices at the top level was busted, he noticed she was still there.
He also noticed he had further evidence she was bad news.
That evidence?
The sheer number of boxes of boots that she was trying on scattered around her.
She looked like she’d not set foot on a hiking trail in her life.
And she looked like she was there because she’d already trolled through all the boutiques around the square, but this hadn’t assuaged her shopping fix, because nothing really did.
Therefore, there was a possibility, after making a member of staff bring her fifteen pairs of shoes, she’d walk out not buying anything.
She’d do this not thinking a thing of it.
However, he noted some of the boots she was trying on were riding boots, and Judge could see that round ass of hers in the saddle on top of a horse.
Wearing a riding habit.
Even if she was trouble, and he had not the slightest interest (or he was telling himself that), he couldn’t keep his eyes off her.
Because he was a moron.
That said, she caught his gaze every time.
So he was looking.
But so was she.
His instincts proved true when he came down for the third time with more to copy, and he again walked through the shoe section to get to the office in the back. Doing this close to where she was seated, still trying on boots, because, yes, in the fifteen minutes between then and now, he had not stopped being a moron.
And again, she caught his gaze.
He had no clue why, but as her gorgeous hickory brown eyes hit his, he muttered, “Nice booties.”
Her back shot straight, and she demanded, “What did you just say?”


 

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Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

Share